Doubles victory gives PH insurmountable 3-0 lead

The Philippine duo of Treat Conrad Huey and Ruben Gonzales beat the Syrian pair of Issam Haitham Taweel and Marc Abdelnour, 6-0, 6-3, 2-6, 6-2, allowing the Philippines to sweep Syria, 3-0 last night in their Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group II Tie at the Plantation Bay Resort and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City.

The win pushed the Philippines to the second round of the Asia-Oceana tie and stopped the country’s losing streak in Davis Cup matches played at Plantation’s shell-clay courts.

A forehand winner by Gonzales which went past Taweel and clipped the line effectively ended the almost three-hour encounter played under overcast skies and swirling winds as the crowd roared in the bleachers to celebrate.

Huey, who ranks 36th in the Association of Tennis Professionals doubles, served a total of six aces.

After a dominating the first two sets, the Filipino pair committed several errors in the third with Huey’s returns repeatedly hitting the net while Gonzales’ shots kept missing the lines.

THIRD SET LAPSE

Smarting from a 2-6 defeat in the third set, the Philippines regained its dominant form and broke Abdelnour’s serve in the first game of the fourth set then held its own to erect a 2-0 lead.

Syria refused to concede and staved off a point from the Philippine’s advantage by holding its serve in the third game then bucked eight deuces to hold serve in the seventh to trail 3-4.

Huey avenged losing that point when his forehand clipped the line to push the Philippines up at four games to two.

With triumph so near at hand, the Philippine tandem did not let up and broke Syria in the seventh game to go up 5-2 then with Gonzales serving for the match, strung three straight points for three match points.

However, Gonzales, perhaps feeling the pressure of having to serve out the match, double faulted twice allowing the Syrians to come closer, 40-30. But the power-hitting Gonzales quickly redeemed himself with his title-clinching forehand winner.

Gonzales also gave the Philippines a huge 2-0 lead last Friday night when he beat Abdelnour in three straight sets in the second singles match. Johnny Arcilla earlier made it, 1-0 by beating Taweel in four sets.

Huey and Gonzales’ win rendered today’s reverse singles matches non-bearing. However, both games will still be played with Vicente “Elbert” Anasta taking Gonzales’ place against Taweel, that is if the Syrian coach will not replace his lineup.

The Philippines will face the winner between Thailand and Kuwait in the second round. Both countries are tied at 1-all in their own tie hosted by Kuwait.